August 18: CHOOSING TO BE NOURISHED
Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three and a half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves. Revelation 11:9
Although the late 18th century was not yet experiencing instant transmission of news, the news of France’s infamous and bloody revolution spread thoroughly and quickly across the world. We may safely assume that the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations in today’s verse are the same groups as the peoples, nations, tongues, and kings mentioned in 10:11. It is generally understood that the ‘non-burial’ of the two witnesses was meant as the ultimate show of disrespect. Yet, today’s verse has a subtlety that reverses this understanding, at least in part. History shows us that, upon hearing the terrible news that came out of France, many heeded the dire lesson to be learned from this massive display of evil. This is corroborated by the original Greek of today’s verse. The opening phrase, Then those from the peoples, etc. does not contain a word for those. It was added by translators. Therefore, it would read: Then from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three and a half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves would mean that, among the people all over the world who were hearing this awful news, some from each of these groups sensed the godlessness of it all, and, responding to the Holy Spirit’s prompting, chose to seek out and preserve the words of God, rather than allow them to be put into graves (buried) by atheists.
Three and a half days has numerous parallels in Scripture. Obviously, Revelation, as a book of prophecy, uses prophetic time. Therefore, the day/year principle of Numbers 14:34 and Ezekiel 4:6 would make it an actual three and a half years, the same length of the earthly ministry of Jesus. A year into His ministry, He applied this prophetic time principle to Himself when threatened by Herod: On that very day some Pharisees came, saying to Him, “Get out and depart from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” And He said to them, “Go tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.’ (Luke 13:31-32) The period without rain prophesied by Elijah also lasted three and a half years. After the crucifixion and ascension of Jesus, another three and a half years of confirmation followed (Hebrews 2:3, Acts 7:57) of forth-telling for the benefit of the Jews, fulfilling the 70th week of God’s promise to Daniel for his people (see Daniel 9:24, 27). The common denominator in all of these is the beneficial, saving work of God on behalf of all who seek Him, even as those who reject Him suffer self-inflicted spiritual draught.
On November 10, 1793 a decree was issued in France abolishing all religion there. Then, three and a half years later, this decree was reversed. The announcement was made public on June 17, 1797. It is interesting that the atheistic, anti-Bible government unwittingly fulfilled this time span. Like the others noted in Biblical history, those rejecting the Lord and His word lived in a spiritual famine of hearing from heaven, while those who sought Him were sustained and nourished.
Though God’s word is often buried under the rubbish of godless human thinking and religious traditions, His people are instructed to hide it in their hearts. The countenance and fruit of those who obey multiplies the divine invitation to turn…and live!
With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You. Psalm 119:10-11